When people ask me what kind of midsize sedan I would recommend, I usually answer with a question. I ask what features

The new Mazda6 certainly has the look! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

are high on their priority scale and which ones aren’t so high. Price is usually the main factor when it comes to investing in reliable transportation, but what I also find very high on one’s priorities list is a car that’s good looking. Safety features are important and so are available options, but looks can make or break a deal. Then again, does that really come as a surprise?

What comes as no surprise is that the all-new 2010 Mazda6 is both affordable and very sleek. It comes with a whole slew of standard safety and convenience features and the ability to make peoples’ heads turn whether you’re in the base GS or the top-of-the-line GT-V6. That’s my, and a lot of other peoples’ kind of car.

Styling-wise,

Gorgeous from every vantage point, the 6 could fetch thousands more if it came with a premium badge. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

the 6 has it going on. Mazda has a knack for creating beautiful cars that don’t go over the top to make a statement. From its front fascia and fog lights all the way to its prominent wheel arches stuffed with 235/45R18 tires wrapped in 18” alloy wheels, to the dual chrome exhaust pipes integrated into its oh-so-sleek rear bumper, the GT-V6 looks good from every angle, and I mean every angle. What’s more, my tester’s Sangria Red Mica exterior colour also does a good job of attracting onlookers. But what impresses me most about the Mazda6 is its ability to look aggressive yet also elegant at the same time. It’s the kind of car that gets noticed, not because of outlandish architecture but because it appeals to the senses (looks hot, sounds great, feels good), complemented by a low intimidation factor when getting behind the wheel.

And

Upscale features, superb quality and style galore set the 6 apart in the midsize sedan class. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

speaking of getting behind the wheel, the Mazda6 has no problem making its new driver feel right at home. The interior has a tightly knit fit and finish and the plush leather upholstery – although it gets quite crisp in the colder climates – looks darn good. The touch-screen display combined with the navigation system ($2,595) that comes in the GT-V6 version makes life easy, not only if you have to get somewhere you’ve never gone before, but it is very user-friendly and doesn’t require the help of the owner’s manual to get the show on the road. And what would this sultry sedan be without an incredible, premium Bose audio system with ten speakers? Well, not as lively, for sure, as this system is fabulous. Whether I was listening to my favourite channel on Sirius satellite radio or my iPod, I was a happy driver the whole way.

Also

The details are nice... automatic climate control, a proximity sensing start button, six-speed auto with manual shift mode, and the list goes on and on... (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

enhancing my driving pleasure was the 3.7L, 24-valve, V6 engine’s performance. With a generous 272 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, this sedan had no problem getting up to highway speeds, or getting up to speed when the light turned green. This sedan also had no problem taking tighter turns at highway speeds and maintaining its composure thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension. It has the right amount of tuning to make life behind the wheel pleasurable not only on uneven surfaces where it soaks up the bumps well, but on smooth paved roads where it hangs on like a sport sedan. Its ability to handle any curve balls (aka tight turns) I threw at it was most impressive, helped along no doubt to the standard Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control. And what slowed me down from highway speeds was an effective set of 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and EBFD.

The only drawback of having the prowess of the V6 engine was the fuel economy. The 6-speed automatic transmission that comes with the GT version is certainly more efficient than a 5-speed unit would be, but the car nevertheless uses an estimated 12.1L/100km in the city and 8.0L/100m on the highway. Those figures aren’t too welcoming, especially when most of my driving is done in the city. And after filling up and paying over $70 (with gas around $1.05/L) I can’t say I was ecstatic. Then again, it is a performance vehicle and they come with performance penalties, the price of operation in this case.

As already mentioned, price is a main factor when people are looking to buy a car. And when money is an object, it’s nice to know that you can get all the good

Before you spend more for a premium brand name, think Mazda6. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

looks of a Mazda6 for an MSRP of only $23,195. Now, good looks combined with “the works” equals the GT-V6, which prices in at $36,695. Throw in the optional GPS plus freight and PDI and it’s more like $40,885. It’s a big jump in price, but the option of various trims makes this car even more appealing.

A car that is very attractive as well as affordable isn’t always easy to find but the 2010 Mazda6 just made it easier. With its eye-catching styling and approachable personality it’s not hard to see why the new 6 is one of the best-selling vehicles in the Mazda lineup.